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Leicester cuts: film and modern languages closed to new students — UCU readies action
The University of Leicester announced it will stop admitting new students to its film studies and modern languages degree programs after a strategic review aimed at financial sustainability....
Treasury takeover: Education shifts defaulted student loans to Treasury
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced an interagency plan to transfer responsibility for defaulted federal student loans to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, shifting collection authority...
Education Department warning: two accreditors told to strip DEI rules or risk recognition
The U.S. Department of Education’s top official directed two regional accreditors to formally eliminate suspended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standards and warned the agencies could lose...
Pell alarm: dozens of groups press Congress to plug $104 billion funding shortfall
A coalition of more than 60 higher‑education and advocacy organizations urged congressional leaders to immediately fund a projected $104 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program over the next...
ODU privacy move: university asks students for criminal histories after campus shooting
Old Dominion University asked students to disclose prior criminal histories following a campus shooting, a decision that has raised privacy and civil‑rights concerns among students, legal...
AI vs. faculty...colleges scramble as chatbots supplant tutoring
Colleges report that AI chatbots have become a de‑facto competitor to campus instruction and tutoring services, with some institutions seeing declining tutoring demand as students rely on model...
Campus tools and curriculum: Canvas launches AI agent — universities craft critical‑thinking response
Canvas announced an AI teaching agent intended to automate routine faculty tasks while stopping short of full grading automation, prompting debate about agentic AI’s role in instruction. At the...
Drexel to launch 3‑year medical program — faster route to physicians
Drexel University announced plans to add an accelerated three‑year medical school track beginning in the 2028–29 academic year while retaining its four‑year MD program. University officials framed...
AI convergence: student essays homogenize as Canvas rolls out teaching agent
Researchers and vendors are reporting linked shifts in how students write and how faculty teach. A multi‑institution team led by University of Washington Ph.D. student Liwei Jiang quantified...
Education Department warning: accreditors told to remove DEI standards or face loss of recognition
The U.S. Education Department publicly warned two accreditors this week that their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standards must be formally eliminated or risk losing federal recognition....
Pell funding crunch: advocacy groups press Congress to close $104 billion gap
More than 60 higher‑education and advocacy organizations urged congressional leaders to plug a projected $104 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program over the next decade, warning the gap will...
FAFSA usability fixes: modest updates aim to speed federal aid access
The Department of Education signaled near‑term updates to the FAFSA interface that will streamline recurring filers and make it easier for parents without Social Security numbers to complete...
Cornell launches cross‑discipline module to teach critical thinking in the AI era
Cornell University introduced a discipline‑independent module designed to embed critical‑thinking skills across the curriculum amid rising AI adoption. The course gives faculty a framework to...
Student protests at Bard: 'Take Back Bard' campaign targets longtime president
Students at Bard College organized protests calling to “take back Bard” amid an investigation into President Leon Botstein’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and growing allegations of a permissive...
Campus safety reporting: Old Dominion asks students for criminal histories after shooting
Old Dominion University requested criminal‑history information from students after a campus shooting, drawing criticism from civil‑liberties advocates and raising procedural questions about...
Campus climate clash: schools add Jewish and Muslim history lessons as federal antisemitism fight revives
New York City public schools began rolling out lessons on Jewish and Muslim American history after officials and educators flagged rising online misinformation and community tensions. The...
HBCU career pipelines: virtual fair and support programs respond to labor shocks for Black women
HBCU Connect is hosting a virtual career fair March 25 to connect historically Black colleges and universities with employers seeking diverse talent, while community organizations and HBCU...
Student costs and recognition: lab fees rise while awards open doors for working‑class scholars
Departments and students are flagging escalating lab fees that add unexpected costs to science and technical programs, prompting calls for clearer disclosure and financial support. Faculty and...
Campus antisemitism fight accelerates: federal push and Columbia fallout
Federal policy and campus leaders are colliding over antisemitism on college campuses. The Biden-era and Trump-era policy fights have intensified as the administration renews enforcement efforts...
OpenAI to nearly double headcount — universities brace for talent drain
OpenAI announced plans to nearly double its workforce to about 8,000 staff by the end of 2026, according to the Financial Times. The hiring push will concentrate on product development,...